A tragic helicopter crash in the early hours of Monday morning has shaken the city of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The aircraft, belonging to Nautilus Aviation, crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, killing the pilot and igniting a fire that forced the evacuation of approximately 400 guests.
The incident occurred around 1:50 AM local time (4:50 PM GMT Sunday), sending shockwaves through the popular tourist destination. The impact of the crash was so intense that many hotel guests initially believed a bomb had detonated, mistaking the sound of the explosion and subsequent fire for something more sinister. The crash also caused significant damage to the hotel, with two of the helicopter’s rotor blades breaking off upon impact. One blade landed on the esplanade, while the other fell into the hotel pool.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene, with the helicopter flying unusually low and without lights in poor weather conditions. Some local media outlets reported that the helicopter may have been stolen. Nautilus Aviation, the company that owned the helicopter, confirmed that the flight was unauthorized and pledged full cooperation with Queensland authorities in their investigation.
Following the crash, two hotel guests, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were transported to the hospital in stable condition. The area surrounding the hotel has been cordoned off, and Queensland Police, along with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
The city of Cairns, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, is reeling from the incident as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic crash. The unauthorized flight has raised concerns, and the investigation is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the pilot’s actions and the helicopter’s operation.
